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New kind of dark tourism emerging in online 'Backrooms,' study shows

Phys · · 463 words · By Lancaster University

Researchers from Lancaster University have studied the 'Backrooms' online phenomenon, characterizing it as 'para-terrestrial dark tourism.' The study explores how digital communities create and engage with immersive, unsettling virtual environments that challenge traditional definitions of tourism and geography.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-05-kind-dark-tourism-emerging-online.html

analyticsAnalysis

0%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 100%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

5 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

info Single Source 3
check_circle Corroborated 2
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“Researchers have explored why online environments like the "Backrooms"—mysterious empty spaces resembling uncharted office blocks, basements and corridors—have become so compelling”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results for claim 0 discuss general Lancaster University information and an unrelated experimental study from 2016, but none mention the 'Backrooms' or research into online environments.
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web search NEUTRAL — In a rigorous experimental study.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15213269.2016.1…
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web search NEUTRAL — Lancaster University is among the best in the UK. A top 10 UK university, we are also highly ranked in international league tables such as the QS World Rankings.An aerial view of the solar farm and wi…
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/
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web search NEUTRAL — Lancaster University is bringing its popular Campus in the City festival back to Morecambe this Easter, offering a full day of free, hands-on activities for families. The event takes place on Friday 1…
https://study-in-uk.com/blog/explore-play-and-discover-at-ca…
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“The research, co-authored by Dr. Sophie James and Professor James Cronin from Lancaster University Management School (LUMS)”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that Dr. Sophie James and Professor James Cronin are both affiliated with the Department of Marketing at Lancaster University and have co-organized events/worked together, supporting their roles as researchers at LUMS.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — James Edmund Caan ( KAHN; March 26, 1940 – July 6, 2022) was an American actor. He came to prominence playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather (1972), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award an…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Caan
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — James William Fox (born William Fox; 19 May 1939) is an English actor, known for his work in film and television. He is a member of the Fox family of actors. Fox's career began in the 1960s through le…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fox
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — James Hyde (died August 2018), known as Jim, was an Australian LGBTQI rights and health activist, community leader, public health policy adviser, and former political adviser for the Australian Labor …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Hyde
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“the upcoming Backrooms film, produced by A24”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources confirm A24 is producing a film based on the Backrooms, specifically the Kane Parsons series. This is confirmed by Wikipedia and A24's own official site.
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web search NEUTRAL — Backrooms is an upcoming American science fiction horror film directed by Kane Parsons and written by Will Soodik. It is based on Parsons' web series and inspired by the "Backrooms" creepypasta.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backrooms_(film)
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web search NEUTRAL — Want More A24? Be the first to know about Backrooms tickets, merch, and special events.
https://a24films.com/films/backrooms
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web search NEUTRAL — The film, which is based specifically on the viral YouTube series created by Kane Parsons (as opposed to the more general Backrooms concept, which originated on 4chan) has been in the works at least s…
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/a24-making-movi…
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“The findings, published in Annals of Tourism Research”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for claim 3 consists of generic definitions of 'research' and unrelated journals, with no mention of the specific findings or the journal 'Annals of Tourism Research' in relation to the Backrooms.
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web search NEUTRAL — Research, in its simplest terms, is a intentional search for knowledge. John W. Creswell states that "research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understandi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research
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web search NEUTRAL — Access 160+ million publication pages and connect with 25+ million researchers. Join for free and gain visibility by uploading your research.
https://www.researchgate.net/
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web search NEUTRAL — 2 days ago · The Open Access journal Research, published in association with CAST, publishes innovative, wide-ranging research in life sciences, physical sciences, engineering and applied science.
https://spj.science.org/journal/research
info
“Sophie James et al, When dark tourism goes para-terrestrial: Online legend-tripping and touring the void, Annals of Tourism Research (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2026.104172”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for claim 4 is completely irrelevant, discussing the physical properties of paper and stationery stores, rather than the academic paper cited in the claim.
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web search NEUTRAL — Paper is a thin sheet of matted cellulose fibers. Largely derived from lignocellulose, paper is created from a pulp dissolved into a slurry that is drained and dried into sheets. Different types of pa…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper
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web search NEUTRAL — High-impact tutoring focused on instructional continuity, classroom-aligned curriculum, and consistent tutors—backed by NSSA and ESSA Level III evidence.
https://paper.co/
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web search NEUTRAL — The premier paper store for unique gifts, cards, gift wrap, wedding invitations, stationery, crafts, party supplies, paper, envelopes and more.
https://www.papersource.com/
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.